Erica Mackie: Looking back and looking forward

To our GRID Mid-Atlantic Family,

When then-EPA administrator Gina McCarthy and other Obama administration officials joined us in Ivy City for the launch of GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic in 2014, it was a sign that our nation’s capital was ready to become a major hub for equitable solar access. Since that day, GRID Mid-Atlantic’s impact has grown substantially. So, it is with bittersweet emotions that we say goodbye to someone who has been constant throughout the five-year journey: Nicole Steele, who stepped down last Friday as executive director of GRID Mid-Atlantic.

Under Nicole’s leadership, GRID Mid-Atlantic grew from a small operation into an organization with far-reaching impact across the District, Maryland, and Virginia, serving over 300 families with over 2 megawatts (MW) of solar. Her creativity, determination, and passion for solar energy led to innovative programming and partnerships that will live on after her departure. She played a crucial role in developing and implementing the Solar Works DC workforce training program. Solar Works DC is a part of Solar for All, a program of the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment that seeks to provide the benefits of solar electricity to 100,000 low-income households and reduce their energy bills by 50% by 2032. We want to thank Nicole for her years of dedicated service, and while we are sad to see her go, it is with full hearts that we wish her the best of luck on her next adventure.

Now we look ahead to the future. We are hiring a new executive director to lead GRID Mid-Atlantic forward, a person who can harness the power of a growing solar movement and ensure it includes everyone in the transition to clean, renewable energy. 

Your support of GRID Mid-Atlantic is vitally important now as it enters a period of transition. We thank Nicole for her five-plus years of faithful and powerful service, and we are excited about what the future holds at GRID Mid-Atlantic. 

Sincerely,

Erica Mackie
GRID Alternatives Co-Founder and CEO